September Uncorked! A New Crush of Events

My, who would have figured Idaho would be bubbling over with wine-related events? Well ... me. And I'm dying to share them with you!

Martin's award-winning wine
Photo by Meg McKenzie

-- First off, in honor of Oktoberfest (OK, so it's a few weeks early, but so what?) tres bonne cuisine is having a German wine tasting Thursday, Sept. 15, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. It's only $10 per person, and includes free hors d'oeuvres along with a big lineup of Riesling, Auselese, Liebfraumilch and more. Tres Bonne Cuisine is at 6555 Overland Road in Boise. Call 208-658-1364 for more info.  

-- Next, I have to congratulate Martin of Fujishin Family Cellars for the awesome shout-out Wine Press Northwest gave his 2009 Late Harvest Riesling. Columnists Andy Perdue and Eric Degermann included Fujishin's wine among their "Outstanding" selections this past week -- his scrumptious $15 vintage was mentioned side by side with much pricier Washington selections, and it was the only Snake River AVA wine in the column (read it in the Statesman this week).

Check out Twig Munro's place in downtown Boise
Photo by Meg McKenzie

-- I also want to give props to the Sunnyslope Festa Celebration of the Harvest: I saw Gregg Alger out workin' the crowd at Capital City Market last weekend, and I heard that more than 300 folks turned out for the grand finale at Ste. Chapelle on Sunday.

-- Tuesday found me at Twig's Cellar in downtown Boise this week, tasting a flight of Argentinian wines courtesy of the wine pickers at Tastevin distributors. There was a Torrontes (Argentina's answer to Viognier) that blew my mind. At $7 you get three different wines, and Twig Munro gives you a good pour of each. Plus it's a great place to relax with pals. She's talking about installing a flat-screen so you may soon be able to enjoy a Bronco game or Dancing with the Stars with your favorite Periple Tuesday Night White or Huston Chicken Dinner Red. Twig's is downstairs in the historic Hoff Bldg, 816 W. Bannock St. Call 208-344-8944.

Check out the cozy wine bar at Helina Marie's in Star
Photo by Meg McKenzie

-- Thursday night there will be an Idaho Distributor wine tasting from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday will bring another great wine and karaoke party, both at Helina Marie's funky rustic wine bar in funky, rustic Star. The fun goes from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. 11053 Hwy 44 in Star. Call 208-286-7960.

-- Also Saturday the 17th, two awesome-sounding Eagle events: The Eagle Food and Wine Festival is from 6-9 p.m. at BanBury Golf Club. The cost is $40 per, with local Idaho wines paired with local chefs.Tickets are available at Syringa and Three Horse wineries and at BanBury off of Eagle Road. Call 208-939-4600 for more info.

 -- From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Woodriver Cellars is having a grape stomp and harvest carnival, with family-friendly activities at their winery on Highway 16 in Eagle. Call 208-286-0291.